Variable-elastomer semi-active damping apparatus

Abstract

A variable semi-active damping assembly comprising a shock body defining a fluid-filled chamber; a piston tube having a first end slidably disposed within the shock body; an inner rod slidably disposed within the piston tube and the shock body, the inner rod having a first end connected to a lower piston mount and a second end extending outward from the piston tube and engaging an adjustment mechanism that is configured to move the inner rod with respect to the shock body; an upper piston mount slidably disposed within the shock body and connected to the piston tube; and a deformable member disposed between the lower piston mount and the upper piston mount, the deformable member being configured to transition between a compressed state and a non-compressed state in response to movement by the lower piston mount.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A variable semi-active damping assembly comprising:
 a shock body defining a fluid-filled chamber; 
 a piston tube having a first end slidably disposed within the shock body; 
 an inner rod slidably disposed within the piston tube and the shock body, the inner rod having a first end connected to a lower piston mount and a second end extending outward from the piston tube and engaging an adjustment mechanism that is configured to move the inner rod with respect to the shock body; 
 an upper piston mount slidably disposed within the shock body and connected to the piston tube; and 
 a deformable member disposed between the lower piston mount and the upper piston mount, the deformable member being configured to transition between a compressed state and a non-compressed state in response to movement by the lower piston mount, further comprising inner fluid channels which permeate through the lower piston mount, the deformable member and the upper piston mount thereby forming an uninterrupted communicative fluid pathway between upper and lower working chambers of the shocking body. 
 
     
     
       2. A variable semi-active damping assembly, comprising:
 a shock body having a first end and a second end and defining a fluid-filled chamber; 
 a piston tube slidably disposed within the shock body; 
 a first mounting member connected to the first end of the shock body; 
 a second mounting member connected to the second end of the shock body; 
 an inner rod slidably disposed within the piston tube and the shock body, the inner rod having a first end connected to a lower piston mount and a second end extending outward from the piston tube and engaging an adjustment mechanism that is configured to move the inner rod with respect to the shock body; 
 an upper piston mount slidably disposed within the shock body and connected to the piston tube; 
 a deformable elastomer material disposed between the lower piston mount and the upper piston mount, the deformable elastomer material being configured to transition between a compressed state and a non-compressed state in response to movement by the lower piston mount; and 
 inner fluid channels which permeate through the lower piston mount, the deformable elastomer material and the upper piston mount thereby forming an uninterrupted communicative fluid pathway between upper and lower working chambers of the shock body. 
 
     
     
       3. The variable semi-active damping assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the piston tube passes through a concentric seal that is integrated into the shock body. 
     
     
       4. The variable semi-active damping assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the inner rod concentrically passes through at least one bearing member or seal member housed within the piston tube. 
     
     
       5. The variable semi-active damping assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the deformable elastomer material is selected from polyurethane elastomers, polyether elastomers, poly(ether amide) elastomers, polyether polyester elastomers, polyamide-based elastomers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       6. The variable semi-active damping assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is a threaded tube assembly, a threaded nut assembly or a rack and pinion system. 
     
     
       7. A variable semi-active damping system, comprising:
 a shock body defining a fluid-filled chamber; 
 a piston tube having a first end slidably disposed within the shock body; 
 an inner rod slidably disposed within the piston tube and the shock body, the inner rod having a first end connected to a lower piston mount and a second end extending outward from the piston tube and engaging an adjustment mechanism that is configured to move the inner rod with respect to the shock body; 
 an upper piston mount slidably disposed within the shock body and connected to the piston tube; 
 a deformable elastomer material disposed between the lower piston mount and the upper piston mount, the deformable elastomer material being configured to transition between a compressed state and a non-compressed state in response to movement by the lower piston mount; 
 inner fluid channels which permeate through the lower piston mount, the deformable elastomer material and the upper piston mount thereby forming an uninterrupted communicative fluid pathway within the fluid-filled chamber of the shock body; and 
 an electric motor configured to apply torque to the adjustment mechanism such that it rotates while being held in a constant vertical and horizontal position. 
 
     
     
       8. The variable semi-active damping system of  claim 7 , further comprising an in-cabin mounted controller configured to actuate the variable semi-active damping system. 
     
     
       9. The variable semi-active damping system of  claim 8 , further comprising a control system configured to receive and process a variety of inputs from a sensor array installed in a vehicle.